Will You Marry Me?

Over the course of the past three years, Garrett has been "betrothed" to several girls. This is a direct result of the fact that he was the only boy born during 2006. I knew like 6,000,281 women who were pregnant at the same time I was and every single one of them had girls. When we swung into '07 people started having boys again but Garrett holds the distinction of being the only male child born in 2006. Nearly all of his little friends here in SLC are girls as well so it wasn't just something in the water in San Diego. We're talking about a widespread phenomena. As a result, he has his fair share of ladies to choose from and many of my friends with little girls refer to him as their future son-in-law. We were waiting to see what each girl would offer as a dowry before making our final decision.

But he's going to have a tough time letting his many girls down gently because, at the tender age of almost three, he's made his choice. "I love you all--as friends. I just can't marry all of you. I'm sorry. It's not you. It's me..." These are some of the things I've instructed him to say. I can think of several little two and three year old girls who are now back on the market.

But not Ana.

Ana is his future wife. She knows it. He knows it. She's the future Mrs. The Rock Star.

Once upon a time, Garrett and I were having a conversation. I asked him if he was planning on getting married someday and he said yes. I asked him who he wanted to marry and the list included his father, me, and his beloved golden retriever. I suggested that he choose someone who was not his parent or his canine, explaining that it might be nice if he married a nice girl--who wasn't his mother. All at once a light bulb flickered on in the recesses of his mind and he shouted, "Ana!"

Her mother was at my house a couple weeks ago and, while The Rock Star and His Future Wife played together in the playroom, she told me about the following conversation.

M: Where are you going to get married?
A: In a church.
M: What are you going to wear?
A: A big really huge huge really big white dress.
M: Who are you going to marry?
A: Mia! (That's her sister)
M: Maybe you should pick a boy.
A: Garrett!

Now, if you ask either of them who they are going to marry they respond with each other's name. Last night Ana's cousin asked Garrett who he was going to marry...

G: Ana!
J: And who is Ana going to marry?
G: Me. (And he said this part kind of like, "duh!")

She's a lovely three year old. Yes, she's an older woman. She's graced this planet with her presence for about two months longer than The Rock Star has. She is an adorable little red head and, given the gene pool in this family, I'm certain that means I would have precious little red-headed grandchildren. She's well behaved and intelligent. Overall, I think it's a good match.
Which is why, I'm in full support of this...

Check out that beautiful plastic, striped ring. Any girl would be lucky to have such a gorgeous piece of jewelry. And, well, the adorable face attached to it. We won't tell Ana that such a smile was accomplished when her groom's mother instructed him to say, "Poopie!" We'll let her think he's brimming over with adoration for her. He does love her, he just loves bodily functions slightly more at this point.

Part of me can't handle this photo. Part of me sees him twentysome years from now all grown up and shaving and getting married. Oh Little Boy Blue, please try not to grow up too fast.